The Ultimate Query Letter Checklist: Do You Have What Agents Want?
When writing your book, it’s just you and the page. But when it comes time to sell it, we invite a whole heap of industry experts into the mix with a lot of different ideas about how to actually sell it. They might have opinions on whether they can sell it at all, or how successful it will be based on past sales data of other books in the genre, including market trends, reader demographics, and comparative sales figures.
What is a literary agent’s role?
Querying a literary agent is the first step in this process. An agent’s job is to get your book in front of editors at publishing houses (not to be mistaken for freelance editors) and convince them to acquire it. Editors at publishing houses are responsible for acquisitions, project management, and market positioning. They find talent and need to get their team to agree to publish the manuscript.
While not all presses and publishers require a literary agent, the Big 5 publishing houses (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, and Simon & Schuster) do not accept unsolicited submissions. Literary agents have industry connections and know which editors are looking for books like yours. They’ll negotiate contracts, protect your rights, and ensure you get the best possible deal—this includes how much you get in advance, what percentage of royalties you receive, which rights the publisher gets upfront, the duration of the contract, and the marketing and promotion commitments.
Your goal is to seduce the literary agent into wanting to read more. Just like you would a regular reader, your copy needs to speak for itself. In this case, it’s the query letter. At a bookstore, this is similar to the back cover or inside flap copy. Consider how you’d summarize your book to a potential reader in just a few sentences—now imagine doing that for an industry professional who’s evaluating whether your book has the commercial appeal, market viability, and sales potential to succeed.
We can’t hover over their shoulders and tell them how reading the book feels or how much it will change their lives. We have to let the query letter speak for itself. Agents are sifting through dozens, sometimes hundreds, of queries a week, making snap decisions based on how well your letter conveys the book’s concept, market positioning, and overall potential. Agents are looking at your query through the lens of potential buyers. Is this book going to fly off the shelves, or will it struggle to find an audience? They’re considering everything from the pitch to the positioning, all while keeping in mind the latest trends and data from BookScan, which tracks book sales across the industry.
So how exactly do you bottle up the essence of an entire book into a formulaic query letter? How do you sell art in a marketplace that’s constantly evolving?
The answer is in the details. A well-crafted query letter can grab an agent's attention, conveying not only the story’s potential but also your professionalism as a writer.
The Ultimate Query Letter Checklist: Do You Have What Agents Want?
Understanding What Literary Agents are Looking For
The Manuscript Itself:
Commercial Potential: This refers to the book’s ability to sell. Because an agent doesn’t get paid until you do and industry standard commission is only 15% (and some of that often goes to their agency), they’re looking for manuscripts that can appeal to a large audience and generate revenue.
Originality: Roughly 3 million books were published in 2022 (combined self-published and traditionally published titles), and according to Publisher’s Weekly, the annual number of new titles published each year has grown by more than ten times in the past sixteen years. No other industry has so many new-product introductions.
This means that standing out in a crowded market is harder than ever, but not impossible. Agents are looking for fresh perspectives and unique concepts that are adjacent to current or recent past popular books–how is your book the same, but different to current books on the shelves. What fresh perspective do you have? What new and exciting thing are you sharing?
Compelling Voice: Agents are looking for books that have a distinct and engaging writing style that draws readers in and makes them want to keep reading. For debuts, this means not experimenting quite so much.
Strong Plot: A well-structured narrative that keeps readers turning the page. The book should have clear character goals, obstacles, and a satisfying resolution.
Well-Developed Characters: Readers need to be able to connect with the characters. They should be complex, believable, and have compelling arcs. They don’t necessarily need to be likable as long as readers can still root for them.
Market Fit: Your book should align with current publishing trends and reader demands. This is a little harder to pinpoint, as publishing is acquiring a few years ahead of publication, but a general understanding of market trends can be established by reading current books in your genre. For example, writers who only read the classics might have a hard time finding representation if their book is written in that style.
The Author:
Professionalism: Agents want to work with authors who are serious about their craft. This includes meeting deadlines, being open to feedback, and understanding the publishing industry. This is a job, so you’ll want to treat it like one.
Marketability: A strong author platform can significantly impact a book's success. This includes social media following, email lists, and public speaking engagements.
Collaboration: Agents work closely with authors, so a willingness to collaborate and take feedback is essential.
Patience: The publishing process can be lengthy. Authors need to be patient and understand that building a successful career takes time.
Understanding the Query Letter
A query letter is your first and crucial opportunity to impress a literary agent and get them interested in your book. It serves as a marketing tool to persuade the agent to request your full (or partial, depending on their process) manuscript. It’s a professional pitch to a literary agent, summarizing your book and convincing them to represent you. Literary agents draft a similar query when they reach out to editors at publishing houses.
Since literary agents have different requirements and preferences, it’s crucial to research each agent’s submission guidelines and interests before sending your query. This includes understanding their preferred genres and any specific materials they request. Some agents even have preferences for how the query should be structured (for example, which information goes in which paragraph).
Make sure to customize your query letter for each agent. Show that you’ve done your homework by mentioning why you’re querying them specifically and how your book aligns with their interests.
Components of a Strong Query Letter:
Hook and/or Logline: Start with a compelling opening that grabs attention.
This is your chance to make a memorable first impression. You can match the tone and voice of your book–if your book is funny and lighthearted, use that tone here to grab their attention. Avoid clichés and overly general statements. Your hook should be unique and specific to your book. This is where we’ll want the most interesting part of your query letter.
This would be a great place to share a logline. A logline is typically one or two sentences long and provides a succinct and compelling summary of your book’s core concept. For a compelling logline you’ll want to include: the central conflict, the key characters, and the stakes.
Pro Tip: Reflect the tone of your book—whether it’s suspenseful, humorous, dramatic, etc.—to set the right expectations.
Synopsis: Draft a concise summary of your book’s plot.
This is not to be mistaken for the one-page synopsis. The synopsis portion of your query is a concise summary of your book’s plot where you focus on the main plot points, conflict, and resolution. Your synopsis should be engaging and provide a clear sense of the story, and make sure to include enough detail to intrigue the agent, but keep it concise. Aim for a balance that highlights your book’s strengths without overwhelming the reader.
Pro Tip: Write your query in the first person initially to imbue it with the voice of your characters, capturing their tone and perspective. Then switch back to third person for the final version to maintain a professional tone.
Bio: Write a brief section that highlights your relevant experience and credentials.
Share relevant author credentials, previous publications, and writing experience that establishes your credibility. Include awards, previous publications, or any relevant experience that showcases your expertise and enhances your credibility. Present yourself as a serious writer with a strong track record. Your bio should bolster the agent’s confidence in your work.
Pro Tip: Show why you’re the right person to write this book. Highlight any personal connections or unique insights you have related to your story. If you have relevant experience or credentials, make sure they are directly tied to the book’s subject matter or genre. This helps build your credibility and shows that you have the expertise to write this story. This is particularly important for non-fiction, but can be incredibly useful for fiction, too!
Closing: Use a courteous and professional closing statement. Ensure you include your contact information and offer to provide additional materials if needed.
Pro Tip: Make it easy for the agent to respond or request additional information. A well-organized closing shows that you’re professional and considerate of the agent’s time.
Polishing Your Query Letter
Review and revise your query letter multiple times. Take breaks between drafts to approach your query with fresh eyes. Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing or errors. Ask trusted peers or mentors to review your query and provide feedback. Their perspectives can help you refine your letter and ensure it makes the strongest possible impression.
Analyze successful query letters to see what works and what doesn’t. Look for clear, compelling pitches that effectively summarize the book. Identify what worked well in these queries—how they captured the essence of the story and intrigued the reader. Use these insights to enhance your own query letter, focusing on clarity, impact, and engagement.
Pro Tip: Email the query to yourself first to catch any pesky typos.
A query letter should encapsulate the essence of your book while demonstrating your professionalism and understanding of the market. By focusing on these elements and tailoring your approach to each agent, you can increase your chances of catching an agent’s attention and securing representation.
Remember, your goal is to intrigue and persuade, so be clear, concise, and compelling in your query letter.
The Ultimate Query Checklist
Is Your Book Ready to Query?
Commercial Appeal:
Have you clearly identified your book’s target audience? Does your story resonate with the readers in this demographic?
Have you considered how your book compares to successful titles in your genre? Can you articulate what makes your book stand out in the market?
Fresh Perspective:
Does your book bring something new to the table? Does it offer a unique angle or perspective on a familiar theme?
Is your narrative voice distinct and engaging? Does it match the tone and style appropriate for your genre?
Plot:
Does your story have a clear central conflict that drives the narrative forward?
Is the pacing appropriate for your genre? Are there moments of tension, excitement, and resolution that keep readers engaged?
Is your story well-structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end? Does it follow a logical sequence that makes it easy for readers to follow?
Characters:
Is your protagonist well-developed with clear goals, motivations, and growth throughout the story?
Are your supporting characters dynamic and contribute meaningfully to the plot? Are they well-rounded with their own goals and conflicts?
Is the dialogue realistic and does it enhance character development and plot progression?
Market Fit:
Does your book meet the expectations of the genre while offering something unique?
Is your book in line with current market trends without being overly derivative? Does it have the potential to stand out in a crowded market?
Is Your Query Letter Ready to Send?
Basic information:
Is the agent's name and contact information correct and up-to-date?
Is your name and contact information clear and professional?
Is the salutation proper and personalized?
Content:
Does your hook grab the reader’s attention? Is it unique and relevant to your book?
Have you clearly stated the genre and target audience?
Have you clearly stated the word count?
Is your logline a concise and compelling summary of your book?
Does your synopsis effectively showcase the plot without giving away the ending?
Does your author bio highlight your writing experience and platform?
Formatting:
Is your query letter no more than one page (approximately 250-500 words)?
Is the font professional and easy to read?
Is the document single-spaced, left justified, with standard margins?
Professionalism:
Have you carefully proofread your query for errors?
Is the tone of your query respectful and professional?
Does your query convey your enthusiasm for your book?
Have you followed the agent's specific submission guidelines?
Additional Tips:
Have you thoroughly researched the agent, their preferences, and their client list to ensure your book aligns with their interests?
Is your query personalized to the specific agent?
Are the comp titles in your query current (ideally within the last five years) and reflective of the tone and style of your book? Are they are well-known enough for the agent to recognize them?
Have you asked a trusted beta reader, critique partner, or editor to review your query?
Do you have a plan for follow-up if you don't hear back, including when to send a polite nudge?
And remember! While these are general guidelines, the publishing industry is constantly evolving. It's essential to research specific agents and their clients to tailor your submissions accordingly.
Query Letter Template
Use this template as a starting point to make sure you include all of the important elements of your query. Then make sure to personalize it and add your own voice and specific language. Remember, your genre influences the way you structure your query—fantasy queries, for example, focus a lot more on set up and worldbuilding to understand the stakes.
Dear [Agent’s Name],
I am writing to inquire about representation for my [Age Category][Genre] novel, [Title]. The manuscript is complete at [word count] words and will appeal to readers of [comparative titles: mention two to three published books that share similarities with your work. Explain why you're comparing your book to these titles.].
[Protagonist] wants [Goal], but [what is standing in their way]. As [Protagonist] navigates [Key Challenges or Situations], they encounter [Supporting Characters/Antagonists] and grapple with [Themes/Issues].
The story unfolds through [Brief Overview of Key Plot Points, including major decisions and turning points] and [Stakes—what is at risk and why it matters].
I have attached [the first three chapters and a synopsis] for your consideration [mention if there are additional materials available upon request, such as a full manuscript or additional chapters].
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how [Title] might be a great fit for your list.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[Website or Social Media Handles]
Crafting a compelling query letter is both an art and a science. It’s your chance to showcase your book’s potential and your professionalism as a writer. Don’t be discouraged if the process takes time—persistence is key! It only takes one "yes" to make your dream of publication a reality, and no agent is better than a schmagent (bad agent).
And beyond all the technical details and the careful structuring of your query, there’s another crucial element: be genuine. Make sure you include a bit of heart. Let your passion for your story shine through, because your genuine connection to your book is what will make it stand out in the slush pile.
So, roll up your sleeves, draft that query, and get ready to dazzle agents! You’ve put in the hard work writing your book, and now it’s time to make sure your query letter shines just as brightly.
Tiffany Grimes (she/they) is the founder of Burgeon Design and Editorial, a queer founded boutique editing and design house for the creatively audacious. At Burgeon, we specialize in book editing, coaching, and web design for the individualists, nonconformists, and trailblazers of the literary world. If you’re a maverick, outsider, rebel, renegade, dissenter, disruptor, or free spirit, you’ve come to the right place.
